Page 14 of God Touched

"Don't tell her that, you dick," Freya grumbled. She pointed a finger at Imogen. "No fucking Arawan." She pulled her close and whispered, "Not unless it's consensual on both sides, and you tell me about it later."

Imogen laughed and squeezed her tight. "Will do."

"Be careful, Imogen. Check in with Bayn every day," Kian said.

"And if you need backup, I can be there instantly, I promise," Bayn replied.

Imogen picked up her helmet. "Okay, guys. Let me go. I'll be fine. Arawan promised, remember?"

"Make sure you watch yourself regardless. Fucking gods are so tricky," Bayn grumbled.

Imogen waved them goodbye as she drove away, hoping they wouldn't worry about her too much.

She was Imogen Ironwood, for fucks sake. She wasn't afraid of some stuffy courtiers or the God of the dead.

She grinned at the horizon; they were the ones that should be afraid of her.

7

Imogen wasn't sure how to get back to Arawan's castle, so she aimed for Snowdonia National Park. When she crossed the borders, she felt an indescribable mental tug. She slowed her bike down, wondering if she should call Charlotte to ask about magical influences.

Maybe leave her for a few days and check in when she might not rage at you for this insanity.

Arawan wouldn't have left Bayn's castle without her if he didn't trust Imogen could find her way back. The sensation tugged at her again, and her bike took the next left of its own accord.

That's just creepy.

Which was on point for Arawan. It was confusing to have him wrapped in such an irresistible package.

Maybe she should have stopped in Edinburgh and gotten a 'Don't fuck Arawan' tat on her arm as well.

Did the God of the dead even fuck? He was the first god she had met, so she could always ask. Maybe she would if she was in a scandalous enough mood.

Something told her that acting like a brat and purposely not doing her job wouldn't convince him to release her. If anything, he'd keep her longer just to annoy her.

The mists in front of Imogen cleared, and Arawan's castle came into view. She stopped at the border and tried to steady her heartbeat. She had only been there at night, so she hadn't seen it properly. It was made of bone and onyx, with four tall towers.

"Gothic as fuck," she whispered. It didn't look like it had been constructed in pieces either, but it had grown out of the ground like some demented creature.

From Elise's stories, Kian had grown a castle the same way. Unlike Kian's castle, Arawan's felt more than just otherworldly. It felt like it shouldn't be seen by human eyes.

The mental connection pulled harder at her, and she slowly rode through the wards and pulled up in front of guarded double doors. She had just taken off her helmet when the doors opened, and a very tall, gaunt fae stepped out. He had long dark hair and pale green eyes. It took a moment for Imogen to realize that he wasn't alive.

"Hi! I'm Imogen!" she said, far too brightly.

"I see," the fae replied in a calm voice. "My name is Duncan. I'm in charge of running the household. A room has been prepared for you. If you will follow me, I can show you the way."

"Cool, I'll just grab my stuff." Imogen unbuckled her saddlebags and slung them over her shoulders.

Duncan's brows drew together. "That is all you brought with you?"

"Yeah. I travel light. Why?"

"I must confess I've never seen a representative of another court pack so little."

Imogen winked at him. "I'm not like the others, Duncan."

"I can see that." He offered to take the bags from her, but she waved him off.

---